64 Accused in Bangladesh Bank Reserve Heist After Decade-Long Investigation

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has named 64 individuals and institutions in a draft charge sheet related to the 2016 Bangladesh Bank reserve heist, where $101 million was stolen via fraudulent SWIFT messages. The accused include former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman and several others from Bangladesh, the Philippines, North Korea, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, and India. The draft charge sheet, comprising nearly 10,000 pages, includes extensive forensic evidence and has been sent to the Attorney General’s Office for legal opinion. The investigation revealed negligence and attempts to destroy evidence among bank officials. The theft was executed by hackers, including members of the North Korean Lazarus Group. A portion of the stolen funds has been recovered, but significant amounts remain unaccounted for. The CID is pushing for a swift trial to establish accountability and deter future financial crimes.

Key Points: • 64 individuals and institutions, including high-ranking officials, are accused in the heist. • The CID's draft charge sheet spans nearly 10,000 pages and includes extensive forensic evidence. • The investigation links the theft to North Korean hackers and highlights negligence among Bangladesh Bank officials.